HOW TO USE THE PLOTTERS AT GRAD CENTER!
1) Convert your file to PDF: Depending on program, you have to either save as PDF or
export as PDF
2) Choose Plotter: There are 4 Plotters, Two on the 3rd FL and Two on the 2nd Fl. Each floor
has an A plotter (smaller) and B plotter (bigger).
3) Decide Mode: Each plotter has regular mode (A or B) or PS (post script: A-PS or B-PS)
mode. Regular mode is faster but may not always transfer all the information or designs
properly. Post Script transfers all the information but takes much longer.
4) Setting Properties: The settings for Plotter A and B are similar. Once you choose the
plotter, click on the Properties button right next to it. As an example, we will choose 3rd
Floor plotter A. If you want to see how to use A-PS or B-PS, scroll down to number [9)].
5) In Properties, the Paper/Quality tab is the only tab for A or B that you will have to
worry about. There are 3 options here that you need to concern yourself with: Custom,
Orientation, and Print Quality.
6) In Custom: Choose a random name (ex:11111) and click save (Must click save first after
typing in random name or else you won’t be allowed to save any changes to paper
size). Then choose your width and height. (Note: the width is usually 36 inches and the
height is whatever you decide the length of your paper). Keep the units in inches and
click ok.
7) In the Orientation, choose Landscape (or if you want to leave it as portrait, you may)
and set the Print Quality all the way to the right for maximum quality, then click OK.
8) At the bottom, set the Orientation to Landscape once again, and in Page Sizing &
Handling (above of Orientation), decide whether to choose Fit or Actual Size
(Depending on type of paper you use (ex: semi-gloss, etc.) one of these options will
work better. Test out both and see which one makes the image to the right look like
how you want it). Finally, click Print, once you are ready to print.
9) For A-PS or B-PS, the settings are slightly different. First choose the Plotter with the PS
setting (In this Example I will use A-PS for 3rd floor), then click properties.
10) In Post Script, there are two tabs you will need to focus on. Advanced and
Paper/Quality. Click on the Advanced tab.
11) Under Paper/Output: Paper Size: click the drop-down arrow and look for PostScript
Custom Page Size (for A-PS it should be in the middle of the list and for B-PS it is all the
way on the bottom)
12) Choose your dimensions (remember that width is either less or equal to Height) In this
case we will set it to the usual width 36 and random height 72. Click ok, and then ok
again.
13) Now click on the Paper/Quality tab and set the Orientation to Landscape and move the
Print Quality: Standard Options gauge all the way to the left for maximum Quality and
click ok.
14) Make sure in this window that the Orientation is set Auto portrait/landscape and that
Page Sizing & Handling is set to either Fit or Actual size (look at the picture to the left to
decide which works best).
15) Finally click Print.